The Dawn of
a New Era

The number of 4G LTE frequency bands is increasing. We are also moving
into an era of downlink CA beyond 5 Component Carriers (CC). High
Performance UE (+26 dBm) usage is expanding as is LAA (Licensed
Assisted Access) in unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum enabling small cell
densification.

The U.S. is about to embark on 3.5 GHz in shared
spectrum, Citizens Broadband Radio Service (B48 CBRS), which will enable
expansion of private LTE networks and neutral hosts. 2018 will bring the
rollout of the FirstNet B14 LTE system for first responders, which will be
available for usage in consumer cell phones where spare capacity
exists.

3GPP has approved the first 5G New
Radio (New Radio) Specification (38.101) using an LTE anchor in a Dual
Connect configuration of LTE and 5G systems, called non-standalone
(NSA NR). 5G will initially use FR1 (Frequency Range 1, <6 GHz) bands n28, n41, n71, n77, n78 and n79; then mmWave
FR2 (Frequency Range 2, >6 GHz) band n257 (28 GHz); and followed by n260 (39 GHz).